Ibrahim son of al-Kasib heard these words, he bowed his head awhile in thought and al-Sandalani said to him, O my son, I have notseen in Baghdad a fairer than thou, and meseems that, when she seeth thee, she will love thee.

Then she spake after a while: Dear friend, I had it in my mind to say to thee many things that meseems were sage, but now neither will the thought of them come into my mind, nor the words into my mouth.

And specially shalt thou bid Atra unto me; for meseems she is so wise already that I may learn her more wisdom, and put that into her heart which may solace her and make her to cease from fretting her own heart, and from grief and longing overmuch.